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RAM: 7 things you need to know about memory

Our big RAM guide gives seven tips about memory and answers questions such as “how much is enough?”, “which modules are suitable?” and more.

RAM

Some advertising slogans remain in our memory. “It’s more worthwhile now than ever before”, as it was often broadcasted in an advert about a natural medicine with a lot of alcohol. The slogan, however, is not only perfect for said medicine but also for the memory of a Windows computer.

Memory has always been essential to the speed of the system, but today it is even more important than ever before, with ever-increasing amounts of data and file sizes. Regardless of how fast a processor is or how quickly a hard drive works, too little or unsuitable memory is a bottleneck in the system, which cannot be eliminated by other components and simply acts as a brake. It is therefore crucial that you not only get the right amount of memory for your computer, but also choose the suitable modules and optimal configuration. The best way to do this is revealed in this article.

Tip #1: Take an inventory of your memory

Firstly, you need to determine how much memory has been built into your computer. Usually, PC motherboards have four RAM slots, of which one, two or all four slots have memory buffers, depending on the computer. There are two ways to find out which of these circumstances apply to you: You can either open the case of your computer and look for it or you can install the tool CPU-Z and let it do the work for you.

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Dropbox vs. Google Drive vs. OneDrive: Which is better?

Cloud-storage options are unbelievably practical; provided you have an internet connection they are available around the clock, almost anywhere. The cloud hard drive can be accessed on both a desk-PC as well as over a web browser or a mobile app. Many suppliers give free access to their cloud storage and, on top of that, provide you with a generous allocation of free storage space. This then makes it very easy to store a large collection of documents, music, videos and pictures in the cloud.

Dropbox, Google Drive and Microsoft OneDrive are the three contenders. All three integrate with Windows Explorer using their own folder and make cloud-uploading child‘s play. Furthermore, they automatically synchronise the cloud content with all connected end devices. Whether you access the cloud through your smartphone or your PC, the database that you view is the same. After a file has been uploaded over a web browser it can, for example, also be retrieved on a tablet if the cloud app is installed on it.

Dropbox vs. Google Drive vs. OneDrive

All three cloud services (in this case Dropbox) support the automatic, mobile upload of photos.

The synchronising opens the door to further practical cloud functions – sharing of content. Users of Dropbox, Google Drive or Microsoft OneDrive no longer need to send files via e-mail for them to be accessible to others. Instead, they simply need to send a link over which the recipients can directly retrieve and download the files. It works similarly in cases where documents that are in the cloud are meant to be worked on together, by multiple people. One can, for example provide access to Excel table or Word documents to others via an invitation. The necessary office tools are included in the trio; in Dropbox and Microsoft One Drive, Office Online is integrated whilst Google Drive has its own Office-suite which is however, compatible with the Microsoft-world.

Only secure with additional tools

In all praise for the cloud storages, when one uses the local data protection law as a benchmark they neglect the topic of safety. Each of the three providers operate their servers in, amongst others, the USA where the government has established significantly more power of intervention. At Dropbox, Google Drive and Microsoft OneDrive, the transfer of files between the end device and the cloud storage is SSL-encrypted, but once the files are uploaded, it is up to the influence of the user to decide what happens to the content.

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V-Sync, G-Sync, and FreeSync for PC Monitors explained

A G-Sync or FreeSync monitoris a must for any gamer looking for the highest level of performance. If you thought that having a powerful PC capable of running your games at a high frame rate was good enough, think again. This article will explain all of the factors you will need to consider in order to improve your PC game playing experience.

PC displays

Everything you need to know about V-Sync, G-Sync, and FreeSync

Whether you own a veritable war machine or a more modest PC, if you have ever experienced lagging or image tearing, the problem may lie with your display. Most PC monitors have a refresh rate of 60 Hz (meaning that the entirety of the displayed content is redrawn 60 times per second).

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Best Gamepad For PC 2018

gamepad

Historically, PC video games have been designed with a keyboard and mouse in mind; it is difficult to imagine playing a round of StarCraft or Battlefield 1942 without using either of these indispensable accessories. Nevertheless, things have changed with time and an increasing number of gamers have become seduced by the advantages of using a gamepad on their PC or have altogether transitioned towards playing on a gaming console. Football simulators, racing games, platform games… there are many types of games for which a gamepad has become the preferred control device. The convergence of gaming consoles and PCs which we have been witnessing over the last few years has motivated many gamers to use their console controllers (PS4 / Xbox) on their computers and vice versa.

In order to clarify things, we created the following table in which we list the controllers we found to be the most interesting for use on a PC. We established this ranking by comparing a long list of controllers which can be found in a table at the end of this article (along with our opinion about each one). In the following paragraphs, we will cover some of the key factors you should consider when selecting a gamepad for use on your PC.

How to choose a gamepad

The notion of using a gamepad for PC gaming has become well-established. However, as is often the case when dealing with PC hardware, there is a vast array of different gaming controllers available on the market (each one of which has its own specific characteristics). What’s more, there are just as many manufacturers of gaming controllers as there are different models (each one of which claims to be the best). To complicate matters even further, there are many other factors to consider… Should you choose a wired or a wireless gamepad? Can a PlayStation 4 controller be easily used on a PC? Are there any controllers that can be used as a replacement for a mouse? Is a good controller necessarily very expensive? We will attempt to provide answers to all of these questions in an effort to help you find the best gaming controller for use on your PC.

What type of controller should you choose?

Wired or wireless?

Not that long ago, wireless gaming controllers still suffered from a bad reputation due to their supposedly high latency (a delay between the pressing of a button and the signal’s arrival at a PC). While some hardcore gamers may still shun wireless gamepads for this reason, nowadays, latency is no longer an issue for commercially available gaming controllers. At the very least, you can rest assured that none of the controllers we have included in our selection suffer from latency problems.

gamepad As a result, the question of “wired or wireless” comes down to practical considerations as well as individual preferences. You should consider the fact that a wired controller will always be ready-to-use and will never quit on you at a critical moment during your gaming session. Wireless controllers rely on batteries or a power pack which can “run dry”; because of this, wireless gaming controllers are also usually heavier than their wired counterparts.

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How and why to install a VPN?

VPNVery popular among people interested in surfing and downloading anonymously, VPNs are a good solution for securing computers, smartphones, and other connected devices. In the following paragraphs, you will find a basic overview of what VPNs are, as well as how to install and configure them.

What is a VPN?

VPN stands for Virtual Private Network. A VPN is a utility that makes it possible to surf the internet worry-free and completely anonymously (we will come back to this point later). Since VPNs ensure the complete anonymity of their users, they are very popular among people who download files illegally. However, VPNs can be useful for many other things as well.

When should you use a VPN?

First of all, a VPN can be used to protect a server from outside threats (a DDoS attack, for instance). A VPN can also be used for downloading files on a P2P network, as previously mentioned. Last, but not least, VPNs are used in certain parts of the world for watching TV programs and accessing prohibited sites or services.

How does a VPN work?

A VPN creates a direct connection between two computers – “insulating” the traffic generated by a remote computer. This insulation will prevent your traffic from being intercepted and analyzed by unwanted parties and will provide you with a measure of protection against hackers (since there will be no direct interaction between your internet connection and other internet traffic). A VPN can be thought of as a tunnel whose walls will protect you from prying eyes and external threats as you travel from point A to B.

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Best IP surveillance camera 2018

Security is one of the essential components of what is commonly referred to as the “Smart Home”. Surveillance is what these small IP cameras do best; they serve as tiny sentinels that watch over your home in your absence. If any movement is detected, you are immediately alerted via your smartphone which you can also use to access your cameras at any time – without the need for a computer.

The installation of this type of personalized and economical video surveillance system can be done without professional assistance: all of the cameras hand-picked and tested by Tom’s Guide can be installed by just about anyone. The manufacturers of these cameras claim that their systems only take a few minutes to install, but as you will read further on, this is not always the case.

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NordVPN Review: Is it the best VPN?

Our VPN Expert Alex has Analysed more than 24 VPN Providers for you, Looking Thoroughly at Security Standards and Speed.

If you decide for NordVPN, you are guaranteed to end up in safe hands: The provider from Panama not only combines a really mature encryption technology with intuitive usage, but also offers a hundred percent anonymity for your personal data [or usage information]: At the registration already, NordVPN only needs your email address and a payment method, which can also be called "Bitcoin".

This way, NordVPN offers the maximum possible anonymity.
Additionally, this platform [or bundle of features] excels through its advanced tools like the Smartplay service, which greatly simplifies your streaming with Netflix or Amazon Prime, for instance.

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The 8 (truly) best 3D printers of 2018 – a comprehensive comparison

The best product for beginners is unquestionably the FlashForge Finder 3D. While it is very affordable, it still provides good print quality. It is also highly compact – which could be an important consideration depending on your particular setup and type of usage.

The best semi-professional model is the Dremel Digilab 3D45. Belonging to a higher class of product, it offers very good print quality (even for highly detailed objects).

The best 3D printers retailing for under 500$

3D printers retailing for less than 500 euros are generally geared towards beginners. While these printers are not precise enough to produce industrial prototypes, they are perfect for taking your first steps into the world of 3D printing without spending much money.

You will, however, want to avoid very inexpensive 3D printers which are often of poor quality – making them, for all intents and purposes, unusable.

You should also be aware of the fact that models in this price range often have quite a limited print volume and limited print resolution.

XYW Da Vinci Mini: an inexpensive and efficient 3D printer

3D printers

Pro

  • Low price
  • Good print quality
  • Easy to use
  • Fast printing
Con
  • Limited material types
  • Limited to using XYZ filament

The Da Vinci Mini is the first 3D printer that we recommend in this guide and while it retails for a very low price, the quality of its printed objects is very respectable.

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How to cleap up your Windows 10 PC and laptop: How to do it right

This is how you free your hard disk from data junk as your computer might respond more and more slowly, turning it on takes even longer and when storage space becomes scarce. Our guide provides valuable tips on how to free your computer from useless ballast. If your PC or laptop isn’t as fast as …

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